A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a two-year-old boy, Rio Smedley, was found dead at his home in Cheriton Drive, Bolton, on Sunday evening.

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of murder after the death of his girlfriend's toddler son.

Paramedics were called to a terraced home in Breightmet, Bolton, following a call saying that two-year-old Rio Smedley's heart had stopped beating.

They tried to revive him on the way to Royal Bolton Hospital but he died later.

Ambulance service officials called police, who later arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of murder. He was still being questioned today.

It is understood he is the partner of Rio's mother, Kirsty Melody, who is heavily pregnant with her third child. Her oldest daughter, five-year-old Ella, was today being comforted at her grandmother's nearby home.

The arrested man and Kirsty were both at home when police arrived.

The boyfriend told detectives Rio was injured in a fall but initial inquiries have led officers to concluded the injuries are 'not consistent with a fall'.

Rio Smedley’s family said: “Rio was the loving son of Kirsty, brother of Ella, Grandson of Karen and Paddy, Gordon and Yvonne, nephew of Shaun and Jason.

“He will be greatly missed and the family now ask for some peace during this hard time.”

A Home Office pathologist is due to carry out a post-mortem examination to establish a cause of death.

Paramedics were called to the address on Cheriton Drive at 5.29pm yesterday.

Neighbour Lilian Walkden, 70, said: “They've only been here about six weeks. I'm just so shocked. I was only holding the little boy in my arms a couple of days ago. I would hear him playing out in the back all the time. He was such a lovely little boy with fair hair.”

Another neighbour told the MEN she saw the mum screaming outside the house before the ambulance arrived.

Detective Superintendent Jon Chadwick said: "I would like to extend my sympathies to this young boy's family and friends at what is clearly a very difficult and emotional time for everyone.

“The investigation is in the early stages and a dedicated team of detectives will be working to establish exactly what happened.”

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service confirmed an ambulance and a 'rapid response' vehicle were sent to the scene and took the casualty to Royal Bolton Hospital.

Police attended the address at about 5.45pm and arrested the 22-year-old later.

A spokesman for GMP said officers were responding to a report that the baby had gone into cardiac arrest.

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